Northumberland Inns and Taverns: Alnwick (Fenkle Street)

Name: The Robin Hood (later the Market Hotel)

Address: Teasdale's Yard/Fenkle Street, Alnwick

The Market Tavern (2026)

The Robin Hood, almost certainly opened in the early 1830s after the Beerhouse Act 1830 came into force, liberalising the regulations governing the brewing and sale of beer. It was initially just a beerhouse, not an inn like its neighbours, the Angel and Nag's Head, and was run by a Samuel Pringle, who was a Whitesmith by trade and supplemented his business by running the beerhouse.

1864 Town Map

From the map above you can see the number of pubs in close proximity to one another. First reference to the existence of a beerhouse was on the 1834 directory below, with Samuel listed as a retailer of beer.

1834 Pigot's Directory Samuel Pringle

In 1841 it appears that a Hannah Teasdale was living in the property that fronted onto Fenkle Street, a Draper by trade. Hannah's husband, William Teasdale died in 1831 but had been a prominent 19th-century linen and woollen draper, property owner, and businessman who played a notable role in the town's early commercial development. He operated the successful drapery business on Fenkle Street, and behind his shopfront, he owned a patch of land that became known locally as Teasdale's Yard (or Teasdale Yard). As Alnwick's population grew rapidly in the early 1800s, this yard was heavily built up with workshops, tenements, and shops.

William was one of eight prominent gentlemen who entered into a lease agreement with the Duke of Northumberland to establish a new town gas light company, helping bring early street lighting to Alnwick.

(https://bailiffgatecollections.co.uk/our-street/percy-terrace-project/gas-supply/)

Samuel Pringle and his family were living in the Robin Hood, the building behind the draper's shop in 'Teasdale's Yard' in 1841, and also living there was local brewer, John Richardson who may well have supplied the Robin Hood.

1841 Census Hannah Teasdale (Draper) and Samuel Pringle (Whitesmith)

Ten years later Hannah Teasdale had retired and was living in Percy Cottage on Hope Lane, but the family name lived on for a decade or so in Fenkle Street before the yard was eventually renamed 'Robin Hood Yard'.

Listed landlords at the inn were Samuel Pringle (1834-1868), Henry Fairbairn (1871), David Wright (1879-), Robert Wilson (1881), William Scott (1886-93), Joseph Scott (1893-), Edward Sheil (1896-), Thomas Young (1896-), William Short (1898), Christopher Howe (1899), William Adstead (1899), Henry Portlock (1901), Emil Catherine Portlock (1904-07), James Johnstone (1907-), Joseph Watson Johnson (1911), Arthur Frederick Graham (1921) and James W Carson (1939).

1851 Census Samuel Pringle

1855 Whellan's Directory Samuel Pringle

1861 Census Samuel Pringle

Living in the beerhouse in 1871 was a chemist, Henry Fairbairn, with no mention of it being a pub. Closer examination of Samuel Pringle's probate record confirms Henry was a close associate and was named on the record.

1868 Probate Samuel Pringle

1871 Census Henry Fairbairn

ALNWICK PETTY SESSIONS

Saturday, Dec. 20. Before S. F. Widdringtox, T. Clutterbuck, A. H. Browne, and G. J. Riddell, Esqs. Applications from Publicans. — Mr Gowans, publican, Red Lion Inn, Felton, applied for an extension of the appointed hours for keeping his house open, vis., till twelve o'clock, on the night of the 31st inst., the reason being that there is on that night an annual supper of a Benefit Society, and the business hours of "many of the members do not terminate till half-past nine in the evening. The application, after being well considered, was granted. Three similar applications from Shilbottle publicans were refused. Mr George Pringle, Robin Hood Inn, Alnwick, applied for the sanction of the magistrates, for a private supper to be given to his friends, and was allowed to do so, as no drink will be sold on the occasion; but he was cautioned to keep strictly within the act.

Saturday, Dec. 27, 1873
Publication: Alnwick Mercury

Edward Bell was charged with being drunk and riotous at the Robin Hood Inn. Alnwick, on the night of the 2-icti alt. The casc was proved by Sergt. R, Smart, Fined 20s. and costs.
Saturday, Jan. 12, 1878
Publication: Alnwick Mercury

Drunk and Riotous on Licensed Premises
John Davison, (who did not appear) was charged by David Wright, landlord of the Robin Hood Inn, Alnwick, with the following offence. The defendant came into the Robin Rood Inn, in a 6tate of intoxication, about ten o'clock on the night, of Saturday, the 15th ult. The landlord refused to serve him and requested him to go out. The defendant refused and he had to be forcibly expelled. He came in a second time and Mrs Jane Wright the wife of the landlord put him out. He assaulted Mrs Wright seizing and pulling down her hair, and the assault formed a second charge against him. He came back the house a third time in a state of great fury ; there was struggle between him and the landlord, and the latter at last pushed him out. It was complained that he had behaved in a similar way on previous occasions always coming to the house the worse of drink. Previous convictions were put in. Defendant was fined for the first offence £3 and costs, or in default 6 weeks' imprisonment ; and for the assault on Mrs Wright 42 and costs or in default one month's imprisonment.
Saturday, July 13, 1878
Publication: Alnwick Mercury

1879 Kelly's Directory David Wright

ALNWICK BREWSTER SESSIONS

The annual Brewster Sessions for the petty sessional division of East Coquetdale were held at Alnwick on Saturday last. There was no "black list" presented. All the old licenses were renewed, except those of David Wright, Robin Hood Inn, Alnwick; J. Conner, Globe Inn, Alnwick; and F. Clark, Nag's Head Inn, Alnwick, which were held over for a fortnight.

Friday, Sept. 12, 1879

Publication: Newcastle Courant

ALNWICK PETTY SESSIONS

SELLING DRINK DURING PROHIBITED HOURS

David Wright, publican, Robin Hood Tun, Alnwick, was charged with selling drink during prohibited hours on the morning of Sunday the 17th August last. Mr Strachan, barrister, appeared for the defence. P.-C. David Buglass said: On Sunday morning the 17th August last, I visited the licensed premises of the defendant, (who kept the Robin Hood Inn), and was there about an hour and a half. I went about ha If-past G o'clock. A boy came up the yard shortly after I went. He rapped at the door. There was no admittance. I was in a water-closet which is about three or four yards from Wright's door. Another person, a man, came up and rapped at the door but got no admittance. About 8 o'clock a woman came and knocked at the door. it was answered by Mrs Wright, who asked her what, she wanted. She said "she wanted two-shillings worth of rum." Mrs Wright then opened the door, air l the woman handed a bottle to her. Both went into the house. They would be about three or four minutes in the house; and Mrs Wright came to the door and looked up and down the yard and said. "All's right." The woman then came out. I shouted for to stop. I went forward to her and asked her for the rum. She said, "I have got no rum." I then saw a bottle sticking out of her shawl. I took hold of it and pulled it out of her hand. She said, "I have been Working here all this morning." I tool her back to the defendant's house and charged the defendant David Wright with selling the rum now produced daring prohibited hours. He replied "I have not served her with any."

Saturday, Sept. 13, 1879
Publication: Alnwick Mercury

ADJOURNED BREWSRER SESSIONS,ALNWICK
The adjourned Brewster Sessions for the Petty Sessional Division of East Coquetdale was held at Alnwick on Saturday, The licenses of Fergus Clark, Nag's Head Inn, Alnwick; David Wright, Robin Hood Inn, Alnwick; and James Connor, Globe Inn, Alnwick, which had been held over for a fortnight, were renewed. Against Connor a charge had been pending of permitting drunkenness on his premises, but this case was heard and dismissed on Saturday, previous to the renewing of the license. Mr Wright had been convicted and his license endorsed on the last court day for selling drink during prohibited hours, and his license was renewd with a caution.
Friday, Sept. 26, 1879
Publication: Newcastle Courant

1881 Census David Wright

Saturday, Mar. 19, 1881 Alnwick Mercury

ALNWICK PETTY SESSIONS

Endorsement of Licenses —The following licenses were endorsed, in consequence of several public houses being about to change hands, and this not being the regular transfer day. The endorsements in every case (except of course the last one) were made as taking effect from the 12th day of May instant.

Angel Inn, Alnwick, from Charles Crawford to James Gowenlock. Tanner's Arms, Alnwick, from James Gowenlock to James Veall. Robin Hood Inn, Alnwick, from David Wright to Robert Wilson.

Fox & Hounds Inn, Amble, from Robert Wilson to William Mordue Rising Sun Inn, Christon Bank, from Robert' Rogerson to Peter Grey of Brunton.

The beer house occupied by the late Gavin Forster, Alnwick Moor, to Margaret Forster, his widow.

Alnwick Mercury Saturday May 14, 1881

Newcastle Courant Saturday, Sept. 27, 1890

1891 Census William Scott

ILLEGAL MEASURES

William Scott, innkeeper (Robin Hood Inn), Alnwick, was sunmonsed for having in his possession for use for trade, a half-gallon measure and a quart measure both unstamped, and further with using the same, both being false and unjust, on the 29th ult.—Supt. Rutherford stated the measures were both unstamped. The half-gallon measure was a gill and a quarter of a gill deficient in measure, while the quart measure was half a gill too much.—Defendant, who did not appear was fined 2s 6d and costs on the first charge and 10s and costs on the latter, and the measures were ordered to be forfeited.

Saturday, Jan. 14, 1893

Publication: Morpeth Herald

1894 Kelly's Directory William Scott

Morpeth Herald Saturday, Sept. 8, 1894

ALNWICK PETTY SESSIONS

THE ROBIN HOOD INN, ALNWICK

DRUNK ON LICENSED PREMISES

A charge was brought against James Anderson, slater, Alnwick, of having been found by P.C. Mackenzie drunk and sleeping on the licensed premises of Mr. Young, Robin Hood Inn, on the 2nd inst—A fine of 5s and costs was imposed.

LICENSING AFFAIRS

Mr. Adam Douglas applied for the transfer of the license of the said inn to be made to Mr. Young, who had told him with regard to this man Anderson that he had a complete answer so far as his conduct of the house was concerned.—The Chairman: When was the last transfer of license asked for?— Superintendent Rutherford: The last tenant was only in about two or three months. The house is up a yard.—The Chairman: How many transfers have there been lately?—Superintendent Rutherford: Before the last tenant there were two persons held the license—father and son. The father held the license from 1886 to 1893, when he was fined for selling a half of whisky to a drunk man. The son then got the license, and had it two years.—The Clerk: The father's fine was not to be recorded on the license.—A letter was received from Mr. D. Macaulay, Chemist, whose dwelling and business premises closely adjoin the Robin Hood Inn, making complaint about the disorder and noise in the Robin Hood at nights, in consequence of which several of his rooms were untenantable between ten and eleven o'clock. He complained of melodeon playing and a noisy beating of feet.—Mr. Douglas submitted that there was nothing whatever against his client. He had been willing to let everything be heard before asking for the transfer of the license, and the proper way now was to grant the transfer, and at the proper time to allow the innkeeper to have a fair hearing upon what had taken place that day with regard to the house. The man had a character at stake, and he ought to be heard in a proper manner.—The Chairman: The police raise no objections to the man's character. Are there any objections to the situation of the house? —Superintendent Rutherford: I want the case adjourned till next court day; then I will give them. —The Chairman: That will be the best way. There seems to be something.—Mr. Douglas: It is the duty of the police to object to any house, but my application is only for a transfer of the license.?— The Clerk:: If you get the transfer today it will allow the house to be carried on till the 10th October; the transfer not being granted the house will be shut up.—The transfer was granted.

Saturday, Sept. 12, 1896
Publication: Morpeth Herald

Morpeth Herald Saturday, Sept. 26, 1896

Newcastle Courant Saturday, Aug. 12, 1899

The event that led to the demise (then rebirth!) of the Robin Hood Inn was the death of the owner, George Smart in 1895, who also owned the adjoining Angel Inn. His widow, Jane Ann, became the owner and in September 1899, she applied to the Alnwick Brewster Sessions for the licences of the Angel Inn and the Robin Hood Inn to be removed and merged into one, and to be granted to the premises immediately adjoining the Robin Hood. The reasons that she gave was that she wished to provide a small hotel to cyclists and tourists to Alnwick who could not afford to stay at the better class hotels in Alnwick. Despite objections from a number of people, including the owners of the nearby Nag’s Head Hotel and the Star Hotel, the magistrates granted Jane Ann’s application. The Angel Inn closed its doors for the very last time and the Robin Hood became the rear part of the Market Hotel sometime in 1900, fronting onto Fenkle Street.